Hyderabad: World Cancer Day is observed every year on the fourth day of February. This year, the theme of World Cancer Day is 'I am and I will be'. If not treated at the right time, Cancer is a disease that can prove to be fatal, as it causes the most amount of deaths in the world.
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day was first observed in the year 1933, with the International Cancer Control Association celebrating it in Geneva. On February 4 2000, the World Cancer Conference Against Cancer decided that on February 4 every year would be celebrated to spread awareness against cancer.
Indian Cancer Society Report
According to the Indian Cancer Society, about 1.5 million people in India can be diagnosed with cancer in the next 10 years. Of these, 50 per cent will have incurable cancer.
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Cancers of oral cavity and lungs account for over 25 per cent of cancer deaths in males and cancer of breast and oral cavity account for 25 per cent of deaths in females. The top five cancers in men and women account for 47.2 per cent of all cancers. However, these cancers can be prevented, screened for and detected early and treated at an early stage. This could significantly reduce the death rate from these cancers.
| MEN | WOMEN | |
| 1 | Lip, Oral Cavity | Breast |
| 2 | Lung | Lip, Oral |
| 3 | Stomach | Cervix |
| 4 | Colorectal | Lung |
| 5 | Esophagus | Gastric |
Burden of cancer in India
A nationwide study was conducted to estimate the incidence of 28 types of cancer in every state of India from 1990 to 2016 and it was found that the number of new cases and deaths due to cancer have doubled from 1990 to 2016. The crude cancer incidence rate was highest in Kerala and Mizoram, followed by Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Assam. The crude cancer DALY rate has also increased by 25.3% (16.8–34.2) from 1990 to 2016.
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Keep an eye on these changes in the body
Sores in the mouth, cough for a long time, lump in the body or needless bleeding are symptoms of common types of cancer. However, it is not necessary that these or the symptoms given below are always of cancer. But it is important to be cautious so that we can stay a step ahead.
- Difficulty in urination: If you experience sudden fast urination, frequent urination at night, urination intermittently or slow, problems like burning, then this can be a sign of prostate cancer.
- Bleeding with urine or faeces: Usually if there is bleeding with faeces for several consecutive days, then piles can be a problem, but it can also be a sign of colon cancer. Blood in the urine can also indicate bile or kidney cancer.
- Changes in the skin: Many times strange rashes appear on the skin. Sometimes, the colour of an injured area changes. However, if the skin colour is not returning to normal even after several weeks, it may be an early symptom of skin cancer.
- Changes in the testicle: Any type of change in the testicle, swelling, lumps, heaviness etc can be symptoms of testicular cancer.
- Unnecessary weight loss: Rapid weight loss is a major cause for concern, as it may be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.
- Difficulty swallowing: Due to problems like sore throat, infection, tonsils, we have difficulty swallowing, but if this problem has been occurring for a long time for no apparent reason or vomiting on account of it, then it can point to stomach cancer.
- Breast changes: If problems like breast swelling, lumps, armpit lump, nipple discharge without breastfeeding, skin shrinkage, severe itching, loose skin around nipple, etc are seen, then a good doctor should be contacted immediately as it can be a symptom of breast cancer.
- Inflammation: Inflammation is a common problem in women, but if the inflammation is not decreasing even after a few weeks, it can cause some serious cancers, including cancers of the intestine, ovarian, pancreatic, uterus, gastrointestinal etc.
- Periods twice a month: Women usually have their menstrual cycle at intervals of 25 to 28 days. But there are many women who have periods more than once a month. In many women, bleeding occurs even after the period is over. Although, often the cause of this problem can be different and common, but sometimes this problem can also be a sign of cancer. It should not be ignored.
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8 small steps will reduce the risk of cancer
- Reduce salt
- Take morning sunshine
- Do not eat food in plastic
- Reduce intake of red meat
- Control weight
- Say no to smoking
- Get enough sleep
- Get cancer screening done
Diet: Supplements that reduce the risk of cancer
According to a research published by Richard Beliveu and Dennis Jingras in the US National Library of Medicine and many other similar studies, eating and eating habits can prove to be very important in preventing cancer.
- Tomatoes: Rich in antioxidants called lycopene, significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.
- Cabbages: Leaf cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are called 'Cancer fighter vegetables'. Many studies and research show that they face those free radicals, which increase the risk of cancer in the body by damaging cells and DNA.
- Leafy vegetables: Spinach and other similar leafy vegetables contain beta-carotene and lutein which prevent the spread of certain types of cancer cells.
- Garlic: Among those who include garlic in their diet, the risk of cancer of stomach, colon and alimentary canal is less than those who do not eat garlic.
- Green Tea: Its leaves contain antioxidants called catechins that not only protect normal cells from damage from free radicals, but also reduce the risk of liver, breast, lung, pancreatic cancer.
- Fish and linseed: Non-vegetarians should consume salmon, tuna fishes. They reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Vegetarian people can eat flaxseed.
- Pomegranate: Many natural ingredients are found in pomegranate, which is very helpful in preventing breast cancer.
- Walnuts: Walnuts contain many nutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin B6, calcium, and mineral secretions that prevent cancer cells from growing. If you consume walnuts regularly, it may reduce your chances of getting breast cancer.
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